Spyderco/Terzoula "Starmate" opinion

A

Allen E. Treat

Banned
Joined
Oct 4, 2001
Messages
498
To : ALL

Just aquired one of these in "combo
edge"; I find it to have an EXCELLENT "lock up" ( even for a
"liner lock";)) and general overall
goodness. I find it odd how Bob T.
puts the Etz Nab ( Mayan god of edged weapons & tools ) on his blades. What say the augerers?


AET ;)
 
I love the style, but am not crazy about 440V. For some reason, I am not able to get 440V blades as wickedly sharp as I can other steels. Now, if they come out with a BG42 or S30V bladed version???
 
It's a great knife. Made for lots of abuse, and I've given it abuse. My only problem, chipped about 0.5mm off the tip prying a nail out of a tire...my own stupidity, got it out the rest of the way using the Spydie hole. But I've chopped, sliced, dug in the dirt, etc. with no problems. No blade chipping or roll over. Some people don't like the blade finish, but I find it hides scratches.

The knive is made for the Spydie drop method of opening. Unlike a Sebenza, you can flick the sucker open with authority in numerous ways. I've been doing it for two years, yea there's a little dent in the stop pin, but lock-up is solidly 1/3 of the way over. With the eccentric pivot, if wear gets to bad, it can be adjusted. IMHO, it competes head to head with Sebenza and wins due to better looks, better steel, adjustable pivot, flicability, hole opening method (won't open in your pocket)and tip down carry. Plus it comes in at 1/3 the cost. Mine's in my pocket now.

It will never be seen in a different steel, it's been discontinued. My personal experience is that 440V is not hard to get sharp using a ceramic system. The edge is a little "toothier" than ATS-54, 55, VG-10, but it holds and still cuts well even when it no longer shaves hair.
 
Why is it odd that he uses Etz Nab? The god of edged things on a knife and he is origanlly from Guatemala, so he has the SouthAmerican infuluence. Seems logical to me.
 
Great blade that simply outshines the handle construction. Single liner construction on a knife this size simply does not cut it. While the lock is secure in normal use, I just could not get past the flexing when white knuckling it through a job. Thicker, dual liners and I would still have mine.

As I said, I really liked the blade. Never had any problem getting it to take a wicked edge. I did encounter some light chipping on the edge, though I do not remember from what (had the knife a couple years ago).
 
This knife proves the Spyderco design concept that a single nested liner with a liner lock and dual G-10 slabs is as strong as a frame lock or dual liners. Its also a hell of a lot lighter. This is the same construction as used on the Military.

My Starmate has no flex whatsoever in using the blade. I pryed a nail partially out of a tire with the tip. No flex. If you push real hard with your finger tip on the middle top edge of the non-nested side of the handle slab there is a tiny bit of flex, but it's almost imperceptible and has no effect on performance. The knife has a closed spine (G-10) that offers extra rigidity.

Remember over-design is not an elegant concept.
 
Originally posted by brownshoe
This knife proves the Spyderco design concept that a single nested liner with a liner lock and dual G-10 slabs is as strong as a frame lock or dual liners.
Click to expand...

Get real. Grab a Sebenza, a SERE 2000 and the Starmate. Handle them, use them, throw them in a vice if you want to. The Starmate will not even be close in terms of ultimate strength. While certainly a very nice fitting lock, it isn't even up to the standards of the Wegner.
 
I have a PE Starmate, and really like it. One of my favorite Spydercos, and arguably one of the best looking. The blade shape is great and the handle is very comfortable. The lockup is great but, it is certainly not up to the level of a frame lock. Even so, I've never had any problems with it. Since they stopped making it, I try to take better care of it.
 
Bob did a lot of volunteer work in South America. The Etz Nab Symbol was given to him by a grateful people. Sure, there may be ultimately tougher extreme knives, but for a good hard use folder, there is none better. I had mine modified for tip up carry and it is on a very short list of favorite carry knives. If you need a folder to handle more extreme use than this knife can provide, you need a fixed blade! Bob is one of the good guys in the custom business. Anyone who is interested in service to South America or in creating hard use folders should correspond with this man. If Jerry Fisk is a National Living Treasure, then Bob is an international version. It pained me to see that Spydeco dropped this knife from production.
Dave
 
Lovely piece when I handled it. I'll get it from a forumite soon.
Can't way to have it in my hand.
 
... and - paradoxically – this is the main reason why I do not carry it. It’s numbered #702 pre-production piece, it is discontinued and I would be very, very deeply frustrated if I would lose it.
Very nicely designed and well executed knife, true tactical piece (we have discussed requirements and definition here a while ago). Naturally with double full length liners it would be stronger (heavier also), however current strength is more than enough for sensible use in sensible man’s hands. I do not use mine but I use my Military pretty extensively and there are the same internal construction and used materials.
 
Came sooooo close to buying it two years ago (had my finger on the "Buy Now" button). I thought it was the coolest looking folder on the planet (still do in many ways). Then...

...Then my stupid ignorance made me say, "No, it only has one liner."

By the time I knew better it was discontinued. :-(

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Someone hit me with a sockful of pennies!
 
There's still SOME hope for you ; Spyderco.com forumite "glasshartt"
got me a P&S/CE Starmate for a pitience of $85 plus USPS shipping
(NIB,BTW). E-mail her (Linda) :


GlassHartt@aol.com

And tell'er Al Treat, the "ol' "dog face";) sent ya'!


AET ;)
 
The Starmate was a knife I eagerly anticipated, but when I handled one in a store, I passed it up. It might have been just the one knife, but I was not impressed with the handle construction or the pivot action.

Unfortunately, there were no others in stock to compare it to, as it was out of production. This bummed me out, as I was really digging the overall design.
 
I wanted one for ages before I bit the bullet. They were out of production by then, but that's not a real problem yet. Knifecenter.com and many others still sell them. Go for it FTC! My Starmate is my EDC and my favourite knife. Good sized blade, light enough for me not to notice it's there until I need it, excellent steel (sharp!) and ergonomic handle. Some say Terzuola invented "Tactical" - he certainly knows his stuff. An all round winner!

Kallisti
 
I was sorry to see the Starmate dropped from the Spydie lineup after such a short run. Perhaps Sal will consider another joint project with Bob T.
 
The Starmate was my second favorite Spyderco, next to the Wegner. They have now been discontinued. :(

I thought the Starmate was well thought out and well constructed. There are some still available, I wouldn't hesitate to get one.
 
I am still looking for a left-handed version of this knife. I know they were made, but I can't find one. - Lee
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top